Page 19 of Forgiving Fate

Logan and I didn’t have a ton of friends, but the few we had were amazing.

Unable to look at the photos longer, I take a step back and catch a glimpse of myself in the shattered mirror.

I don’t look away this time. I let myself see the person staring back at me through the fractured glass. I let myself see the dark circles and tears streaking my face.

My knees wobble and this time I let myself crumble. I fall to the ground with a loud thud and bring my knees to my chest. I wrap my arms around my knees and bury my face into them.

I beg for the tears to stop, but they don’t.

Why is this happening to me? Why couldn’thejust leave me alone?Hedidn’t do enough by taking my parents from me?Hejust had to dig the knife further into my chest, creating an everlasting invisible scar that will never heal.

I don’t know how long I sit there, but footsteps sounding up the stairs catch my attention. I begin to freak out, but the numbness coursing through my body prevents me from doing so.

What’s the point?

“Allie. It’s Landon. I’m sorry I know I said I wouldn’t come inside, but we have a slight problem.”

Picking my head up from my knees, I turn my head to see him standing in the doorway. The look on his face is full of sadness and sympathy.

I want to tell him I’m fine, but the truth is, I’m not. He can see that. So what’s the point of lying and wasting words that hold no meaning?

I can tell he is trying to figure out what to say. He opens his mouth to speak several times, but the words die on his lips. I can see the moment he decides there isn’t a right thing to say.

“I got an alert that a neighbor posted on the Neighborhood Watch pages that there was an unknown car outside the Evans’ house. A few of them came outside while I was standing on the porch and I stepped inside the door before they could come over and talk to me.”

Not surprising. No one in this neighborhood knows how to mind their business.

He continues, “I watched from the window as a few of them started making their way to the house across the street. I know the last thing you want to deal with is nosy ass neighbors that don’t know how to mind their fucking business. And I don’t want to interrupt what you are doing here, but I think it’s best we head out for now. We can come back tomorrow or in a few days. Or I can send someone to pack the house up and deliver everything to Cliff Haven within a week or two. I’ll do whatever you decide, but unless you want to watch me cuss one of them out for sticking their nose where it doesn’t belong, I suggest we leave soon.”

Rolling my eyes, I stand. He’s right. I have no desire to talk to any of them right now. Or ever.

My eyes scan the room and anger fills me again.

I make my way to the window overlooking the backyard. The hammock swings in the wind and memories begin filling my mind again. But I stop them. I can’t handle anymore.

Without turning around, I keep my eyes locked on the backyard. “Pack it up. I don’t care what they do with this room, but I don’t want all of their memories to go to waste. Even if they stay in boxes for the rest of time.”

Turning around, I lock eyes with Landon’s ocean blues and he nods. He moves out of the way and lets me head down the stairs first. As I go to reach for the front door, he stops me.

“Allie, wait. If you want to avoid them, do you mind if I pull the car into the garage so you can get in without them seeing you?”

I nod. I need to get out of here before the memories and the realization of my parents truly being gone hits me harder than it already has.

Chapter Nine

Landon

Hanging up the fifthcall in a row, I slump into the seat.

We stayed at a hotel in Allie’s hometown last night. I could tell she was exhausted and wanted to be alone after seeing her parents’ house.

Now we have been sitting here for the past hour in the parking lot of the hotel because every time we try to leave, I get another phone call that makes it impossible to drive at the same time.

Looking over at Allie, who has been sitting quiet and patient the entire time, I go to apologize again, but she stops me.

“You don’t have to apologize again. Whatever it is you and your family are doing is clearly needing your full attention. And because you will probably get another call any minute, can we go somewhere before we head out of town? You can stay in the car and deal with your brothers.”

I nod and hand her my phone to put the address into my phone connected to the car navigation. She hesitates for a moment before taking it, and I know that look. It’s one full of distrust, and I hate it. I hate that this world is full of so many pieces of shit that women have to fear anyone new.

---